The LIJSL Academy Boys U11 and Girls U11 teams finished atop the standings in their brackets in the North Atlantic Division in USL Youth play. While the age group doesn’t currently get the reward of participating in the Electrolit Finals in Tampa, Fla. In December, LIJSL honored the achievements with a pizza party and t-shirts on Sunday, September 15.
Over the course of the summer season, the U11 Boys-Team 1, coached by Brian Mcaughey and Daniel Espinoza, finished with a 7W-1T-0L record and the U11 Girls-Team 1, coached by Ana Penagos and Juan Palacios, finished with an unblemished 8-0-0.
LIJSL Academy Administrator EJ Schwarz said:
On Sunday, the LIJSL Academy proudly honored its U11 Boys and Girls teams for their outstanding achievements in winning the prestigious North Atlantic Division of the USL. This remarkable accomplishment is a testament to the talent, hard work, and resilience of these young athletes.
Throughout the season, I have had the privilege of watching these dedicated players train tirelessly and compete in numerous games. Their commitment to excellence has been evident both on and off the field. The passion and sportsmanship displayed by each player not only exemplify the core values of the LIJSL Academy but also inspire their peers and the broader community.
The success of the U11 teams can be attributed to the outstanding leadership and dedication of their coaches. Their unwavering support and guidance have fostered an environment where young talent can flourish, learn, and grow. This partnership between players and coaches has been crucial in developing not only skilled athletes but also well-rounded individuals.
As we celebrate this remarkable achievement, we recognize that it is not just about winning titles; it is about the friendships forged, the lessons learned, and the memories created during this incredible journey. The LIJSL Academy is immensely proud of its U11 Boys and Girls teams, and we look forward to watching them continue to excel in their future endeavors.
Congratulations to our U11 teams for their hard-earned victory and for embodying the spirit of the LIJSL Academy!
BU11 Coach Mcaughey said:
Sunday’s informal celebration with family and friends marked the culmination of an amazing summer of soccer with a newly-assembled group of talented players.
Despite competing against well-established year round teams, our intensive summer program was able to put together a string of impressive performances across both divisions, with every player contributing to our success on the field.
More importantly, we feel we have established strong foundations for further development, and we can’t wait to see how this age group progresses in the coming years, and how they measure up against the best teams in USL, both locally and hopefully on a national stage.
Thanks for a great season boys – see you next year!
GU11 Coach Penagos said:
Sunday was the celebration and recognition of a successful summer season for the U11 Girls. This is a great group of hardworking girls that dedicated themselves in every practice and game throughout the summer season. It is very difficult to go head-to-head with programs that run year round, and these girls not only did that but came on top. It was great to see the families and girls celebrate their accomplishment, and we hope to continue to achieve and celebrate many more in seasons to come.
Enjoy and thank you for a wonderful season girls!
The LIJSL Academy will have three teams at the USL Youth Finals in the BU12, BU13, and BU15 age groups. For more information on the USL Electrolit Youth Finals, click here.